During her bath, Hua Zhi only kept a few senior maids with her. When she removed her clothing, the maids immediately understood. Seeing the swollen whip marks and the purple bruises on her body, their expressions turned indignant. Their young lady always seemed to clash with the imperial palace—every time she went, she returned suffering!
"It's nothing. The whip didn't strike directly on bare skin. Some ointment will make it fade." Slipping into the water, she endured the initial stinging pain before feeling relief. Hua Zhi let out a long sigh. "Just a minor matter. No need to speak of it outside."
The maids softly acknowledged her orders, unsurprised by her instructions. She bore everything alone—the masters of the household had no idea how much suffering and injury their young lady endured. Sometimes, they wished they could just shout it all out.
Soaked until her entire body felt limp, lying in bed made her feel as if nothing belonged to her anymore. Yet, Hua Zhi couldn't fall asleep.
For some reason, even now, she didn't feel as though things had settled. An inexplicable sense that matters were unfinished troubled her, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted yet unable to rest peacefully.
Sighing, Hua Zhi simply sat up. Noticing her movement, Ying Chun, who was on night duty, swiftly threw on her clothes and came over to attend to her. "Are you uncomfortable somewhere? This servant noticed you haven't been able to sleep at all."
"My heart feels heavy. I'll go outside for some fresh air."
Hearing this, Ying Chun didn't try to dissuade her, instead quickly fetching a cloak to wrap her securely. Their young lady seldom troubled her servants; if she got up, it was only because she truly couldn't lie still any longer.
The mistress and her servants, along with Nian Qiu who was guarding the outer room, left the courtyard together. The moonlight was cool as water, the air windless and clear, bringing a comfortable chill that cleared her drowsy mind somewhat.
"What time is it?"
"Young lady, it's the third quarter of the Hour of the Dog."
Still early. After a moment's hesitation, Hua Zhi headed toward the front courtyard. The matron guarding the inner gate unlocked it without a word upon seeing her.
"Lock it properly. You can open it again when I return."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi didn't go to her own quarters in the front courtyard either. She found a random spot outside and was about to sit down when Nian Qiu pulled her back. Ying Chun folded the blanket she was carrying, placed it as a cushion, and only then helped her sit down.
Hua Zhi was quite accustomed to such attentive service. Having lived in the large Hua family for over a decade, she had always been meticulously cared for. That was why, when the Hua family encountered trouble, she felt duty-bound to step up. Having received their protection for so many years, it was only right to repay them.
Thinking of her relatives whom she hadn't seen for a year, Hua Zhi suddenly understood the source of her anxiety. It was because they hadn't returned yet. As long as they remained away from the capital, there was always room for unexpected changes. And before the Emperor's burial, Little Six couldn't possibly allow them to return—after all, they were people exiled by the late Emperor, and their return required an opportune moment.
What she needed to ponder was precisely that opportune moment.
"Mr. Wang."
At her calm call, Wang Rong appeared promptly. Wang Rong had been sent by Yan Xi to oversee the Hua family's safety—a fact Hua Zhi had long been aware of.
He bowed from three steps away, strictly adhering to protocol without approaching closer.
"Has there been any news from Yan Xi?"
Wang Rong shook his head. "There's no need for messengers. Once matters stabilize, my lord will surely rush back posthaste."
Calculating the time in her heart, Hua Zhi thought, I hope he can make it back for the first weekly memorial ceremony. Otherwise... it would be a regret.She couldn't be certain of the Emperor's thoughts, but in Yan Xi's heart, the Emperor was an extremely important elder—a hero who descended from heaven in times of danger. Failing to attend his funeral was already a regret; if he missed the seventh-day memorial as well, it would haunt him for life.
"Where is Jia Yang's group now? How much longer until they reach the capital?"
"About ten more days. The cargo is heavy, so they can't move quickly." Wang Rong glanced at the young lady and asked, "What should be done with the silver once it arrives?"
Hua Zhi lowered her gaze in contemplation. During the late Emperor's reign, she had planned to hide it herself and send trusted individuals to purchase grain in full. But now...
"Once it arrives, we'll seek official approval from the... Crown Prince. It's already April—sending people to the Flame Country now would just coincide with their first harvest season. I'll gather more silver to buy as much as possible. The candidate will likely need to come from your group. Discuss among yourselves who is most suitable."
After a pause, Hua Zhi added, "I'll also request His Highness the Crown Prince to send an envoy to accompany us."
"Yes, I understand." Wang Rong secretly felt relieved. His greatest concern had been whether the young lady could adjust her mindset, remembering that the formerly vulnerable prince was now the Crown Prince—soon to be enthroned. One must maintain distance, not closeness, with a future ruler.
Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. She somewhat understood Little Six's behavior back then. Hadn't she herself become unable to treat him as before? Little Six was clever—he had long known these were things he would inevitably lose.
"I remain suspicious that the Chao Li Tribe still has hidden agents in the capital. Find a way to coordinate with the Seven Constellation Bureau—they must ensure the Crown Prince's protection. Even Her Majesty the Empress Dowager needs warning. The rear palace... it would be best to seal it off. The farther from His Highness the Crown Prince, the better."
"Understood."
"Many will be watching me closely recently. Avoid all ears and eyes and deliver a message to Master Chen: not a single word about the Hua family affairs can be mentioned now. He must not act rashly."
Hua Zhi wasn't worried about her grandfather or those old friends who had long been immersed in official circles. Her only concern was her grandfather's disciple, Chen Dayi, who might lose patience. If it were just him alone, it wouldn't matter, but with the Spring Examination approaching and countless scholars gathering in the capital, if someone used them to pressure the Hua family... Even if Little Six were willing, she couldn't possibly let him order the Hua family's return now.
She had to prevent anyone from making this move—literati conflicts were never rare occurrences.
"By the way, any recent movements from Ling Wang's residence?"
"Yes, I intended to report tomorrow. Ling Wang's wife returned to Yangzhou two days ago, citing her mother's critical illness."
This timing...
Hua Zhi's heart stirred. "Has Haoyue had any contact with her?"
Wang Rong frowned in thought. "According to previous intelligence, they shouldn't have. Consort Yue cannot leave the palace, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager dislikes Ling Wang's wife—she's never permitted to accompany Ling Wang for palace visits. In principle, they should have had no opportunity to meet."
"Investigate this thoroughly. Also verify Ling Wang's wife's movements during this Yangzhou trip."
"Understood. Rest assured, we already have people following."
"What about Ling Wang himself?"
"Ling Wang remains in his residence. Reports indicate his health has deteriorated again."So it really is the youngest son of the eldest grandson. When Yan Xi was risking his life outside, Ling Wang never showed a trace of concern, yet the moment his little son falls ill, he stays by his side without leaving an inch. Over the years, that woman must have used Shaoyao as an excuse to trouble Yan Xi repeatedly. A person’s heart is soft by nature; it only gradually hardens after being frozen again and again.
No matter. From now on, she will be there for him.
She will use this heart, nurtured warm by the Hua family, to warm his.
P.S.: Kongkong, who dares not visit the book review section during a hiatus, is currently suffering from recurring fever.
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